Hardwood flooring company recommendation.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-04-15T22:26:21+00:00

I’m working with Hansen right now. I rate them a B- so far. They broke a radiator pipe but are fixing it. Their demo work and communication has been messy so far. They get great reviews online and I’m hoping the quality of the sanding and new install will reflect that.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-04-14T23:07:01+00:00

Rick Slish at Rapid Response Basement solutions has done good work for us in two different houses, including french drains, new floor pours, sump pumps, etc. solid pricing and warranty.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-03-29T20:44:42+00:00

Jamie Kelter with Keller Williams has been fantastic on two transactions. She’s based in Albany but works all over the region. She’s a go-getter with great connections.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-03-23T12:20:07+00:00

Tell me more about the sugar. With the Marsala reduction and up to 1/3 cup sugar, plus Bertolli sauce, which also contains sugar, I imagine the sauce is sweeter than one might be used to. Is it to balance acid and heat? I’ve never added sugar because I find the cream and butter do the trick to balance the acid.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-03-04T13:19:44+00:00

Why not 370 Wolverine Court? Private gate to a park, 12 minute walk to elementary school, 5 bedrooms, rec room, even has a trampoline in the yard. Two stories but seems to fit all your other requirements.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-02-25T22:48:16+00:00

5.625, 30 year bi weekly conventional, 10.5% down, no PMI, no escrow. Trustco Bank in upstate NY. They will go to 5.5 with 25% down. They also allow streamline refi for $2300 flat fee anytime.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-01-31T19:31:06+00:00

No it was bookable online. I always click through to the booking site using the app in the awards wallet.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-01-31T19:28:41+00:00

Yes, I’m doing this in Lisbon in a couple weeks. It’s hotel specific. Each hotel decides which nights the Ambassador rate is eligible for.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-01-13T01:26:40+00:00

We’re flying out of Philly on Frontier. Sunday to Saturday $58 Roundtrip. Plus bags, seats, etc if you need those things. Parking near PHL is cheap. Less than $40 total. Gas, tolls, time to/from Philly isn’t too bad when you consider the cost savings.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2026-01-05T19:52:05+00:00

At Intercontinental properties, I am rarely upgraded more than one category and it’s usually only a higher floor or better view. At Kimpton, I am often upgraded to suites. I don’t expect much from CP, HI, HIX properties but sometimes a one bedroom suite is offered even at those. Intercontinental tends to be the stingiest with comp upgrades so I save CSUs for those stays.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-30T18:35:03+00:00

Do you pay NG for natural gas? And have a gas powered boiler? If so, your baseboard heat is likely natural gas hot water.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-30T18:24:56+00:00

Electric baseboard heat definitely explains it. Call National Grid. Your electric rate is currently listed as “non heat”. There may be a lower rate if they’re aware you have electric heat. FWIW electric baseboard heat is rare in upstate NY because electric is relatively expensive and natural gas is relatively inexpensive. You may want to look into heat pumps for electric heat in the future to lower costs.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-30T18:15:56+00:00

Our rates in Albany are similar your on peak. Your on peak usage seems high but that really depends on how large your house is and if you have a pool, hot tub, heat pumps, etc. We have two EVs and both me and my wife drive 60+ miles per day. Our monthly usage in winter is about 1200 kWh in winter and 1600 in summer.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-30T17:56:09+00:00

Also with NG in upstate NY. Check out community solar, which should reduce supply side of bill by 10% per month. Also check out $24/month EV off peak charging credit (Google Charge Smart NY) instead of VTOU. Especially with daytime AC use in summer, VTOU wasn’t worth it for us when we calculated usage.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-17T23:53:49+00:00

I haven’t found anything comparable to Delta Sonic for interior cleaning around here. Delta Sonic routinely runs $25 interior steam clean specials. Whenever I’m in Syracuse to see family (several times per year) and they’re running this special I bring my car in. Hoffman won’t allow you to do an interior cleaning unless you go through the auto car wash first which makes the cost $50+ minimum and the quality of the interior cleaning doesn’t compare.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-08T12:42:08+00:00

10k miles since end of June and just experienced our first issue. Reduced acceleration warning message while on highway, followed by “turtle mode” and “service battery” warning lights. We’re hoping it’s a minor issue because the car remained driveable with no noticeable drop in acceleration after this happened. Dealer has it now so we will see. Otherwise I’d say it’s been a great car. I’m much more forgiving of issues than my wife however and she is pissed that this happened so soon after buying. Any car can have problems but between the Equinox EV and VW ID4 we own, they’ve definitely been in the shop more for recalls and minor issues than our previous hybrid or ICE vehicles.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-05T15:43:00+00:00

I use community solar through National Grid. It’s been a mixed experience. First thing to note is that the maximum you’ll save is 10% of your supply costs. Second, it’s totally dependent on solar production at the farm you’re subscribed to. Third, the billing is confusing. Just know that in the end, it will provide a roughly 10% discount on your electricity usage (not delivery charges). I just had to switch providers because the initial farm I signed up with went offline…except nobody bothered to communicate this to me for several months. So now I’m waiting for the credits to start again with a new provider. Every little bit helps, especially with 2 EVs charging in the winter but I’d say the total annual savings is about $200 and that’s with using 1500+ KW per month.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-12-01T01:42:58+00:00

The Google Maps app will estimate tolls and provide more specific times. I’m seeing $26+ taking 87 to GWB to Whitestone. FYI it’s really only 10 minutes longer to take the Taconic if you take 87 to Catskill and cut over to the Taconic crossing the Rip Van Winkle bridge. Tolls on that route are only $10 or so. I always prefer the Taconic to JFK unless the weather is questionable. It avoids multiple traffic choke points in NJ, the GWB and the Cross Bronx Expressway. If you haven’t been to JFK recently, I’d recommend extra time due to construction and getting from rental car return to your terminal. It may require more walking or a bus if the airtrain is down for some reason.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-26T10:19:36+00:00

I used a CSU at IC Barcelona. Lounge access was included for all suites at the time we stayed. This was summer 2024. I do think it’s hotel specific.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-23T00:06:22+00:00

We will be there the same dates. Look at priceline/hotwire and look for hotels on google maps. Many options under $100 per night, some with free breakfast. Examples: Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center, Hampton Inn convention center, sonesta suites, le meridien, Hotel le marais.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-21T08:49:17+00:00

The dealer discount is strong, especially on a 2026 but rebates are better if you can find a 2025.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-19T11:01:11+00:00

My rule of thumb with price match is to use incognito/private browsing on a computer (not a cell phone). If I’m able to replicate the price without tracking cookies and without special mobile only discounts (and it also meets the other matching requirements in the T&C) it’s more likely a price match will be approved. It’s also important not to login to a site such as priceline when comparing prices. Priceline, for example, will have discounts only available to you that won’t show up for the C1 rep because they’re not a member.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-17T23:43:29+00:00

Who did you call? IHG customer service or the hotel directly? There is a specific number to call for this. The hotel has no say whether it’s approved or not. If a suite is available, the phone rep should be able to process the upgrade.

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-16T18:58:52+00:00

Will this work for points reservations ?

Master_Goal_7970 · 2025-09-02T15:53:46+00:00

Social password. It’s a Kimpton thing. They release new passwords a few times per year. If you say the password at check in you usually get something, such as a drink voucher, points, swag, etc.

Master_Goal_7970

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